CLIMATE CHANGE: HOW IT AFFECTS YOUR HOME

According to the UN, Climate Change is defined as: “Long term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, such as through variations in the solar cycle. But since the 1800’s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas.”

Rising emissions fueling rising temperatures create a perfect storm of weather volatility, the effects of which are clearly seen in rampant flooding, temperature instability, and widespread infectious disease. Weather extremes impact soil changes, air quality, deforestation, and drought, all of which further impact housing and health. How is Climate Change currently affecting your home?

Adapting to the needs of our home to protect our family and investment means guarding and protecting what is within our control in a climate which may make us feel otherwise. A house is only as good as its foundation. It’s time to throw away the throw-away-mentality. With rising costs of building materials and housing, a shift in perspective may be what is needed to help your house remain your home.

Rising housing costs include high demand of building materials, rising mortgage rates and insurance rates. These negative impacts have led to positive strategized construction methods including Green Design, with a keen eye on improving structures having long-term integrity and positive impact ecologically. Further, weather extremes cause imminent damage to one’s health and property which can also effectively be counteracted with knowledge of said effects.

• Soil changes from drought to flooding extremes cause shifts in foundations due to settling soil.

• High winds can damage roof and siding materials in need of repair.

• Burst pipes often result from dramatic drop of temperature, especially when sustained by frigid winds.

• Poor indoor air quality often leaches in from structural damage which leads to radon, mildew, mold, and fungus in ventilation. WHO (World Health Organization) reports “an estimated 7 million people die annually from breathing bad air.”

What You Can Do About It

Knowledge is power, so rather than feel defeated by Climate Change, empower yourself to manage what is in your control.

• Be proactive to secure your home’s foundation. Act quickly to repair any cracks in foundation or walls.

• Keep your roof, siding, and windows in good repair. This will protect your home from the elements, limiting loss of heating/cooling, and maintain clean air.

• Maintain clean gutters; keep in good repair. Make sure they drain properly, keeping water away from home’s foundation. Even a small clog can mean a big problem when a sudden heavy rain occurs.

How Grime Fighters Can Help You

Power Washing, Window Cleaning, and Gutter Cleaning are at once preventative and proactive, as they protect your home from extremes which can lead to disease and deterioration, also keeping a keen eye on areas which may be more vulnerable or weakened, such as:

• An emerging crack in settling foundation or walls.

• Faulty Guttering.

• Windows without a tight seal will leak air and moisture, often seen as fogging.

• External mold, fungus, or mildew which can leach into your home.

All of these factors lead to possible health problems and home repairs which can quickly snowball when under extreme stress.

Rely on Grime Fighters to provide a positive effect on your home. A clean home is a healthy home.